The physically active have up to a 50% reduced risk of developing major chronic diseases and cut their risk of premature death by up to 30%.

But the Welsh Health Survey reveals that despite high profile public lifestyle campaigns, there was little change in physical activity levels since the study began in 2003/04 up top 2010.

Wales was also a divided nation when it comes to looking after its physical well-being.

Men were more physically active than women on the target level of five or more days a week. More than a third of Welsh men (37%) and around a quarter of women (24%) reported meeting the target.

Adults in routine and manual jobs and in the most deprived areas of Wales were most likely to report having no physically active days a week, while managerial and professional staff were the least likely.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Programmes such as 5x60 in secondary schools and Dragon Sport in primary schools are helping to create the environment necessary for children to enjoy extra curricular sport and physical activity on a regular basis.

“Our Change4Life campaign, alongside the summer programme Games4Life which encourages whole families to increase their physical activity, is part of our drive towards encouraging people to become more active.”

In North Wales, adults meeting the target level of activity ranged from 30% in Wrexham and Flintshire, to 34% in Denbighshire

Meanwhile, 34% of adults in Wrexham admitted to no active days, compared to 28% in Conwy.

Powys had the highest proportion of active adults at 38%, and Powys and Monmouthshire had the lowest levels of those reporting no active days a week 26%. The lowest levels of physical activity were seen for adults living in local authorities in South East Wales.

Just over half (52%) of Welsh children aged four-15 reported 5+ active days in the past week and just over one in 10 (12%) reported no active days.

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